Deadspin | Cavs guard duo out for even more in Game 2 vs. Raptors Apr 18, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell (45) celebrates after hitting a three point basket against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of game one in the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images The Cleveland Cavaliers’ starting backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden lived up to the hype in Game 1 of their Eastern Conference first round series against the Toronto Raptors. Mitchell scored 32 points in 31 minutes, and Harden dissected the defense for 22 points and 10 assists, leading the fourth-seeded Cavaliers to a 126-113 home victory Saturday. Cleveland built a 24-point lead before coasting home with the win. Fifth-seeded Toronto must figure out how to slow them down Monday, when Game 2 takes place at Cleveland. “Every scenario is on the table,” Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic said. “We’ve got to take a look at the film. I have my own thoughts, just based on the game, but I want to watch it to see what adjustments we can make.” Mitchell and Harden were the best players on the court in the opener, combining to make 19 of 38 field goal attempts, 8 of 14 from 3-point range and 8 of 9 free-throw opportunities. They also combined for four steals, as the Cavaliers forced 17 turnovers as a team. It didn’t matter who Toronto used against the star guards defensively. The guards took turns beating the defense off the dribble, in transition and making pinpoint passes in half-court sets. Max Strus took advantage with a career playoff-high 24 points off the bench and four 3-pointers. “Our job now is to stay in the moment and take one game at a time,” Harden said. “I’ve been in this (situation). Things happen fast. Our job is to focus on what we can do better.” Harden, who was acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Clippers, was especially proficient at slowing down the pace and feeding his big men. Seven of his 10 assists went to either center Jarrett Allen or forwards Evan Mobley and Keon Ellis. Mitchell was much more aggressive, bypassing his heavy diet of 3-pointers in favor of slashing through the lane. Thirteen of his 20 shots were within the arc, which also led to him go 6 of 7 from the foul line. “You’ve got to pick, right? Do you trap James? Do you trap me? Do you switch?” said Mitchell, who extended his league-record streak of 30-plus points in a series opener to nine straight. “There are so many different things you have to pick. James makes my life a lot easier.” Being so efficient on offense allowed Cleveland to set up defensively, stopping the fast-paced Raptors from using their youth and athleticism to speed up the game. Toronto couldn’t adapt and only managed to take 71 shots — a whopping 18 below the league average. The Cavaliers took 81 shots, making 54.3% of them, and were 16 of 32 on 3-pointers. “They were getting back, stopping us from running,” Toronto power forward Scottie Barnes said. “They beat us at one of the things we do best, and that’s transition. We’ve got to be prepared and have some urgency.” RJ Barrett scored 24 points, Barnes had 21 points and Brandon Ingram and Jamal Shead added 17 apiece, but none had more than 14 shots. Shead started in his playoff debut with point guard Immanuel Quickley (right hamstring strain) inactive. Quickley did practice Sunday, when the Raptors worked out in the practice gym at the Cavaliers’ arena, but Rajakovic said his status won’t be known until the pregame. Regardless of which point guard is playing, the coach will emphasize the importance of feeding Ingram. Toronto’s leading scorer in the regular season (21.5 points per game) only got off nine shots while being blanketed by Strus, Ellis and Dean Wade. “We have a small margin of error,” Ingram said. “They knew everything (play-wise) we would run throughout the year. They tried to deny me the ball every time I ran down the floor. “At the end of the day, me shooting nine shots is not going to win basketball games.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cavs #guard #duo #Game #Raptors

Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.

Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.

The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.

“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.

“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.

“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.

“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.

ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers

“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.

She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.

“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.

“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.

However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.

As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.

Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.

“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.

ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWG

She alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.

“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.

“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.

“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.

“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.

However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.

“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.

“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.

The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.

“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.

Published on Jul 14, 2026

#Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games">

India’s only para cyclist at CWG 2026 seeks coach’s accreditation, fears missing Games Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWGShe alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.Published on Jul 14, 2026 #Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games

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Sixteen-year-old Lisha Das, India’s lone para cyclist for the upcoming Commonwealth Games, is fearing the possibility of missing the multi-sport event after her coach was not accredited while a Cycling Federation of India (CFI) official was instead designated to accompany her in Glasgow.
Lisha, who qualified for the Glasgow CWG through continental rankings in the women’s C5 category, has written multiple e-mails to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), CFI, the Sports Secretary and the Union Sports Ministry seeking accreditation for her personal coach, Aditya Mehta.
The teenager, who has a deformity in her right hand, alleged that she was repeatedly asked to obtain a parental consent letter with CFI Executive Member K Dattatraya as her coach for the Games.
“Neither my parents, my coach nor I were ever informed that Mr K Dattatraya had been appointed as my accompanying official,” she wrote in an e-mail in possession of PTI.
“I am a minor female para athlete. Mr K Dattatraya should not be designated as my accompanying official. I require a female escort and a medical support professional.
“Initially, I was repeatedly asked to sign a consent letter stating that Mr K Dattatraya would accompany me as my coach for the Commonwealth Games.” She said she declined to do so as Dattatraya was never his coach.
“The coach who has trained me throughout my journey and guided me to qualify for the Commonwealth Games is Mr. Aditya Mehta.
ALSO READ | Initially named in Indian CWG contingent, para swimmer Nandakumar now declared ineligible by organisers
“However, without my knowledge or consent, his name was never recommended,” Lisha wrote in one of her e-mails.
She said that, being a minor athlete, she should be allowed to travel with the coach who understands both her sporting and medical requirements.
“Being a minor athlete, I have repeatedly requested to be accompanied by the coach who has trained me, understands my sporting and medical requirements, and has prepared me throughout this journey.
“Unfortunately, despite several representations, my genuine concerns have not been addressed,” she wrote.
However, personal coaches have not been included by the Sports Ministry in the Indian contingent for the Glasgow CWG.
As reported by PTI in March this year, the ministry had made it clear that “demonstrable contribution” and “regular association” to an athlete’s growth would be assessed in case of request for personal coaches but they would not be allowed over an above the sanctioned contingent even at no cost to government.
Lisha said Mehta was willing to bear his own expenses and was seeking only the accreditation required to accompany her in an official capacity.
“My coach is ready to travel entirely at his own expense. I am only requesting that he be granted accreditation so that he can accompany me in an official capacity,” she said.
ALSO READ | India’s 126-strong squad for Glasgow-2026 CWG
She alleged that the CFI recommended Dattatraya’s name.
“The Cycling Federation of India recommended the name of Mr. Dattatraya to the Paralympic Committee of India as my coach, despite the fact that he was not the coach who trained me or prepared me for qualification.
“This decision caused me immense distress and left me feeling unheard as an athlete,” she wrote.
“If I am unable to participate with the coach who has prepared me, it will be extremely difficult for me and my family to proceed with confidence.” CFI Secretary General Maninder Singh denied that the federation had recommended any coach’s name.
“We have not given any name. The long list for the Commonwealth Games was sent by PCI and CFI doesn’t have a role in that,” he told PTI.
However, in an e-mail on Monday, CFI wrote that it had recommended a panel of three support staff members, including Mehta and Dattatraya.
“This is with reference to the trailing mail and our communication dated July 10, 2026, wherein it was submitted that Mr K Dattatraya was not recommended by the Cycling Federation of India (CFI) as the personal coach for Ms Lisha Das, a para-cyclist,” the CFI wrote in an e-mail on Monday evening.
“However, we wish to clarify that in the long list of team support staff submitted by your esteemed office to the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the following officials were recommended as team support staff: Mr Ramesh Pandi, Mr Aditya Jitendra Kumar Mehta and Mr Katkam Dattatraya,” the CFI said in its response to the PCI in the e-mail which was also marked to the IOA.
The PCI, meanwhile, maintained that it merely forwarded the names received from the concerned National Sports Federation.
“CFI governs para cycling and IOA is leading the Commonwealth Games, so it’s between them and the federation,” PCI Secretary General Jayawant Gundu Hamanawar told PTI.
Published on Jul 14, 2026

#Indias #para #cyclist #CWG #seeks #coachs #accreditation #fears #missing #Games">India’s only para cyclist at CWG 2026 seeks coach’s accreditation, fears missing Games